KIDS YOGA! Talk about relaxing! Call today to sign up!

Giggles N Hugs is interested in catering to schools for kid’s lunches. What food would you like to see on your child’s lunch menu?

Depending on where you live in the Northern Hemisphere, this year’s winter has either been really mild or extremely harsh. Either way, the news from legendary groundhog Punxsutawney Phil,  is not very good.

When the famous woodchuck was pulled out of his burrow in Gobbler’s Nob, Pennsylvania this morning by two handlers donned in tuxedos and top hats, he surveyed his surroundings carefully and unfortunately, saw his shadow, indicating that winter is likely to continue for at least another six weeks!

However, for those who do not like cold dreary winters, here is some good news. Phil’s competitor, the relatively young Staten Island Chuck, did not see his shadow and was happy to just hang with New York’s Mayor, Michael Bloomberg and watch the crowd cheer at his prediction.

So whom should one believe - The veteran who has been doing this over a century or thenovice who has only 30 years of experience under his belt? If weather experts are to be trusted the legendary Phil has been right only 39% of the time during the last 111 years. However the folks at Punxsutawney, PA, beg to differ - They maintain that Phil has never been wrong. Chuck on the other hand, has an 80% accuracy rate that nobody seems to dispute. We will all just have to wait until March 20th to find out which groundhog has the real insight.

Groundhog day was started by German settlers who arrived in Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th century. Since then, the holiday is celebrated across the United States every February 2nd.

Happy Groundhog Day!

1. Consume many liquids

As a first cure from cold try to consume a lot of water, juices and drinks (e.g. Tea and herbs in general). Liquids prevent the «drying» of our throat and nose, they help the mucous membranes glands to remain open and so it is easier to clean.

2. Avoid coffee

Try to avoid drinks containing caffeine. They lead to dehydration.

3. Water vapor and hot baths

Water vapors and hot baths are the most common home cures for cold. It is believed that the steam can facilitate congestion. The virus is also susceptible to very high temperatures, so it is possible that the steam can «kill» the virus through the nasal cavities.

4. Hot Soups

Many people consider a warm soup as the best cure the cold. The advantages of such a traditional cure comes from the broth, which keeps the body hydrated and it also helps with the vapors.

5. Use a humidifier

These devices are a good method to make more humid air. This may help to keep nasal cavities of liquid and thus avoid the blocking of the nose. When using the humidifier make sure to clean them regularly to block the possibility of transferring mold in the air.

6. Rest

One of the most important factors in getting cure from cold is a good sleep and generally relaxing. You need to get some good rest in order for your body to resist the cold virus better, faster and more efficient.

7. Wash your mouth with salt water

It may sound like an advice from your grandmother but practice has proved that washing your mouth with salt water is one of the cures for sore throat.

8. Do not smoke

Although you should stop smoking for a number of reasons, smoking when you are cold has additional disadvantages. Smoking can aggravate the symptoms of cold, while aggravating can also be passive smoking.

9. Watch your diet

Although it is not proven that diet can help you cure from cold, eating fruits and vegetables full of vitamin C can help you overcome faster from cold. Vitamin C strengthens the protection of the body, protects it from virus diseases and contributes to better functioning of white blood cells, the role of which is to fight viruses.

10. Do not Exercise

Avoid exercise and all sorts of physical activity, for 3-4 days in order to give your body a chance to save forces for fighting the virus.

Here’s a fun game for the whole family. Can you find the hidden images? Click the picture to view the answer key! Find more games like this at Highlight Kids.

Teacup

Bell

Crown

Scizzors

Carrot

Snake

Crown

Balloon

Sailboat

Rollerblade

Banana

Bird

Sleep is a very important tool for your child’s development. No matter what your child’s age, establish a bedtime routine that encourages good sleep habits. These tips can help kids ease into a good night’s sleep:

• Include a winding-down period in the routine.
• Stick to a bedtime, alerting your child both half an hour and 10 minutes beforehand.
• Encourage older kids and teens to set and maintain a bedtime that allows for the full hours of sleep needed at their age.

So how much sleep does your child really need? Check out this break down from WebMD starting at 1 years old:

1-3 Years Old: 12 - 14 hours per day

As your child moves past the first year toward 18-21 months of age he will likely lose his morning nap and nap only once a day. While toddlers need up to 14 hours a day of sleep, they typically get only about 10.

Most children from about 21 to 36 months of age still need one nap a day, which may range from one to three and a half hours long. They typically go to bed between 7 and 9 p.m. and wake up between 6 and 8 a.m.

3-6 Years Old: 10 - 12 hours per day

Children at this age typically go to bed between 7 and 9 p.m. and wake up around 6 and 8 a.m., just as they did when they were younger. At 3, most children are still napping while at 5, most are not. Naps gradually become shorter as well. New sleep problems do not usually develop after 3 years of age.

7-12 Years Old: 10 - 11 hours per day

At these ages, with social, school, and family activities, bedtimes gradually become later and later, with most 12-years-olds going to bed at about 9 p.m. There is still a wide range of bedtimes, from 7:30 to 10 p.m., as well as total sleep times, from 9 to 12 hours, although the average is only about 9 hours.

12-18 Years Old: 8 - 9 hours per day